History Minute: ‘Moonlight Murders’ terrified the publicIn 1946, five people were murdered and three more critically injured in a series of bloody attacks that kept Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas gripped in panic over the “Moonlight Murders.” The first attack occurred on February 22, 1946, when Jimmy Hollis and Mary Jeanne Larey were forced from their parked car on a secluded road. The two were severely beaten but left alive. One month later, on the night of March 23, Richard Griffin and Po...

Junior Auxiliary of Russellville partners with Save the Children Head StartJunior Auxiliary recently partnered with Save the Children Head Start to host Family Literacy Night. The event was held Oct. 13 with approximately 95 people in attendance. Families were able to spend time with characters Dora the Explorer and Cat in the Hat. Volunteers read stores,participated in crafts for the kids, face painting and provided snacks to all. Each family was provided one book of their choice and three standard educational books...

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FOR THE COURIER / SubmittedThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Miners wins Arkansas State Fair Simmental Reserve Grand Champion BullLucas Miners, a member of the Pope County Atkins AG 4-H Club, took the honors for Arkansas State Fair Simmental Reserve Grand Champion Bull in the Junior Simmental Show and Reserve Grand Champion as well as Senior Champion Bull in the Open Simmental Show. Lucas’ bull, Baytown, is a 2-year old bull that he has shown for two years at the Arkansas State Fair and the Pope County Fair. Lucas is the son of Jim and Christy Miners of Little Rock. He i...

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FOR THE COURIER/SubmittedThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

PeakJames David and Mary Ruth Peak will celebrate their wedding at a reception on Nov. 7 at Cunningham’s BBQ at 504 N. Church St. in Atkins. The program will begin at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Rev. Hank Duvall will open with a prayer and story. James David will tell the love story. Mary Ruth will make a few remarks and then anyone that wishes to can talk. Cunninghams will serve a meal. Friends, relatives and former classmates are invited. Instead of gifts,...

Real Proud recognizes Russellville studentsBank of Little Rock Mortgage recognized four Russellville High School students on Oct. 16, during the Cyclone Football game. The students were honored as part of the Real Proud of Real Cyclones program. The program recognizes hard-working students who are actively involved in their community and extracurricular activities. The students honored were Atziri Cruz, Emily Fang, Stephen Hunt and Drew Turner. Atziri Cruz, daughter of Yolanda Cruz and...

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FOR THE COURIER/SubmittedThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

McCormick — OnareckerMallory McCormick of Dardanelle and Timothy Onarecker of Edmond, Okla. are happy to announce their engagement and forthcoming marriage. Mallory is the daughter of Michael Dee and Dawn McCormick of Dardanelle. Her grandparents are Kathryn McCormick of Dardanelle and the late Herman McCormick and John and Lenell Davis of Slidell, La. She is a 2010 graduate of UCA and a 2013 graduate of UAMS. She is employed as a nurse practitioner at Arkansas Ch...

Dougan — CarlsonTerry Lynn Dougan was married to Luke Carlson on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, at Dougan Farm & Ranch in North Little Rock. Ricky Dale Harris gave the blessing prayer and Sharon Carter officiated. Terry Lynn is the daughter of Mrs. Libbie Dougan and the late Bo Dougan of North Little Rock. Luke is the son of Mrs. Carla Carlson and the late Dr. K.L.“Doc” Carlson of Dardanelle. Honor attendants of the bride were Mollie Dougan and Ginger Gage. The br...

Community photo: Author and lecturer speaks to Rotary ClubTHE COURIER / Submitted Author and lecturer Nancy Dane (center) provided an in depth program to the Russellville Rotary Club on the Civil War in Arkansas. With an expertise on the Civil War in Arkansas, her “Tattered Glory” series won the 2011 Fiction Award, presented by the Arkansas Library Association with her second book in the series, “A Difference of Opinion”, being nominated in 2009 for the prestigious Michael Shaara Award for best Civil...

Libraries plan workshops for National Novel Writing MonthMany aspiring novelists in Pope County are brainstorming and charging their laptops in preparation to visit area libraries during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November. The Pope County Library System (PCLS) invites writers and wannabe writers to sign up to join what has grown from a national writing effort to create and have fun. The purpose of NaNoWriMo is for participants to have camaraderie with other writers to produce a qua...

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FOR THE COURIER / SubmittedThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Annual Harvest Run/Walk will support McElroy HouseThe McElroy House: Organization for Cultural Resources will host its second annual Harvest Run 5K and Kids Fun Run on Dec. 5. The run/walk will begin at 10 a.m. at Bona Dea Trails in Russellville and will be followed by an awards ceremony at noon. All racers will receive a race packet including t-shirts designed by artist Bryan Moats for the McElroy House. This year’s design includes a yarrow illustration. Drinks and snacks will be provided by...

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FOR THE COURIER / SubmittedThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Veterans breakfast, assembly setThere will be a Veterans Day Assembly on Nov. 11, at the Russellville High School Center for the Arts. A breakfast for veterans and their families will start at 7:30 a.m., followed by an assembly at 9 a.m. with Congressman Steve Womack as the guest speaker. There will be performances by the Russellville High School choir, band and theater. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call 479-968-3151.

Fall Fest set for SaturdayRussellville’s 24th annual Downtown Fall Festival and Chili Cookoff is scheduled for Saturday in downtown Russellville. Main Street Russellville (MSR) Executive Director said the event will take place rain or shine. As of Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service listed a 50 percent chance for rain on Saturday. McGuire said the festival will only be called off if there becomes a threat to public safety. The day’s events include: Arts and ...

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FOR THE COURIER / SubmittedThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Work moves slowly on new parkThe executive director of Main Street Russellville said work has gone slower than expected on the renovation of Depot Park, but she hoped it would be done by the time RussVegas gets here. Betsy McGuire said since the caboose was removed from Depot Park, work has continued with utility relocation. The park won’t be able to be used for Saturday’s Downtown Fall Fest, so entertainment will move across the street to the CarQuest parking lot. McGuir...

Club News (Oct. 25, 2015)Pope County Retired Teachers The Pope County Retired Teachers Association (PCRTA) met at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 17 at the Brookside Retirement Residence (formerly Wildflower) in Russellville. The business meeting followed refreshments and socializing at 10 a.m. President Katherine Teeter welcomed everyone back for the new year and recognized Marilyn Binn, a new retiree who taught mainly Spanish and French for 39 years at RHS. The invocation was gi...